A Day On the North Shore – Chattanooga

July 12, 2019

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Spring is now over and the soul of Chattanooga’s North Shore is in full bloom. Shades of green are back in dominance and the warm air is filling local’s lungs as they get back into their outdoor routines. Bike riding and walking are the preferred mode of transportation and it makes for a lively neighborhood filled with culture, art and good times. When building your plans for a relaxing but eventful weekend, you should consider “A Day on the North Shore”.

Whether a downtown resident, tourist, or you call the North Shore home, a walk across the Walnut Street bridge is a splendid way to start your day. With easy access from both sides of the Tennessee River, incorporate a stroll or roll across the bridge and let one of Chattanooga’s most iconic structures do its job of bringing you to the North Shore where of course you know you will end up with a little appetite.

There are many great places to snag a mid day meal, from light to hardy. You can, of course, choose Edley’s Bar-B-Que for an outdoor dining experience on a nice sunny day. Located in the Signal Mill building on Manufactures Road, our patio welcomes you and your family, featuring a play area for the kiddos. We also never forget our furry four-legged friends. They deserve a nice patio to hang out on, right? Grab a craft beer or signature cocktail and choose from delicious in-house, smoked meats and made from scratch side dishes. You can’t go wrong with a classic chopped pork sandwich on a summer day. Looking for something lighter? Add turkey to a “Southern Salad” for a refreshing meal to keep you moving throughout the rest of your day.

Another favorite is Taco Mamacita! Located on North Market Street, Taco Mama is a very popular joint with, you guessed it, delicious tacos! Here are a couple we loved: The “Sloppy Jose”,that’s taco form of your mom’s weekly special, the Sloppy Joe, and the “General Homeboy”, a crunchy shrimp taco finished in a sweet chili sauce with just enough heat to require a margarita for cool down.

Looking for a quicker bite with a side of caffeine? Two doors down from Taco Mamacita is Milk and Honey. Serving up carry-to-a-picnic-table sandwiches, wraps and some delicious espresso concoctions—grab it and get a head start back towards Coolidge Park. Milk and Honey provides a variety of vegetarian and vegan options as well. Warning: It’s nearly impossible to walk out of this joint without some Gelato. Good luck.

Coolidge Park is where happiness resonates. From open fields to the waterpark, get lost for a few hours with friends, family, pooches, or all of the above. Take a step back in time with the kids as they ride on a beautifully restored 1894 carousel, or just stroll down the riverside on the greenway.

Connected by walkways to Coolidge Park is Renaissance Park, which is host to the unintentionally famous “Cardboard Hill”. “Cardboard Hill” is every kids winter dream of sledding down a slippery slope—minus the parka and mittens. Grab a sheet of cardboard before heading to the park, but be sure to take your cardboard with you when you leave.

Running around a park all day will surely have you hungry again. You can, of course, choose us if you didn’t have bar-b-que for lunch. (Pro tip: Ribs come off the smoker somewhere between 4:30 and 5pm.) Some other neighborhood favorites include Terra Nostra Tapas & Wine, Sushi Nabe, Brewhaus, our neighbors Foodworks, and so much more! If you saved room for dessert, which you definitely should, head over to Clumpies Ice Cream Company’s flagship store for the best ice cream in Chattanooga.

Looking to extend your night with some adult beverages? Just over the railroad tracks from Edley’s Bar-B-Que is Heaven and Ale Brewing Company. They host a colorful array of beer styles from an easy-drinking Chatty Light, to a bold Bloop Double, New England IPA. With plenty of bar seating, lounge seating, and a view of the brew vats—there is a beer flavor for any beer drinker at Heaven and Ale’s comfortable tap room!

If we haven’t gotten the point across: A visit to the North Shore is good for the soul. A lively neighborhood, filled with happy people that believe in a strong community, and there is no better time to experience it than in the sweet days of summer. There is a little piece of the North Shore that is perfect for you. You just have to go find it.